Steering column rattle?

[Trabantdave]

Just wondering what could be causing it..... most noticeable over choppy surfaces-I've tightened up every screw nut and bracket in sight (and a lot out of sight too!) but still have the noise.

Gripping the steering wheel tightly doesn't make a difference, but it definitely seems to be from the column.

Is there anything inside that could need lubricating?

Regards

Dave

[cadetchris]

maybe it could be unbalanced wheels, the vibration usually finds it way up the steering rack and into the column and wheel itself.
i'd also check the tyre pressures as well, if they are very different it has the same affect as unbalanced wheels

[Trabantdave]

I will double check the pressures Chris, but they are checked every week, and wheels were balanced when new boots fitted 1500 miles back; the rattle predates the tyres I've just reached my tolerance threshold and need to sort it before insanity sets in haha

Thanks

Dave

[Mog-nuts]

Maybe wear in the rack and pinion ?

[charlie_morris_minor]

have you oiled the felt pad? they dry out and allow the column to move and down, as opposed to in and out.

[Trickydicky]

I would oil the felt pad as charlie says,its the eaisiest and less expensive way to troubleshoot/cure the problem. It is probablly the one lubrication point that gets forgotton about and as the pad dries out, it flattens resulting in play in the steering column.
The Haynes manual states to do it you need to remove the steering wheel and soak in a "Heavy Oil" though it does not say which particular oil to use I would suggest the Hypoid 90 gear oil used for lubricating the steering rack and the rear axle.

One question though to everyone, is the bottom felt pad lubricated "automaticly" when you lubricate the steering rack via the nipple in the toe board? The Haynes manual mentions nothing regarding the bottom pad.

[Dean Moriarty]

Have just done this on mine.
Take the steering wheel and cowling off and gradually squirt oil in there over a few days and eventually the oil will penetrate the upper pad and get down to the lower pad.
It works